"It's not yet a hundred per cent confirmed, but yes, Jones is to be our attack coach,"

Russian Rugby Union spokesman Sergey Markov told RIA.

Jones will replace Steve Diamond, who announced his departure from Russia last month during a two-game tour of New Zealand.

Jones, who has recently left the post of Sale Sharks’ director of rugby, is currently in South Africa helping the Bulls ahead of the Super 15.

Russia will take part in their first ever World Cup later this year in New Zealand and are keen to find a new attack coach soon. Russia will play in Pool C alongside Australia, Ireland, Italy and the United States.

"At the end of March I'll sit down, I haven't committed to the World Cup with them. I still want to look at what other options are out there," Jones told the BBC on Friday.